Before It’s Even Confirmed, One Batch of Injustice 3 Skins Seems Guaranteed

The future of NetherRealm Studios’ next project remains uncertain, but Injustice 3 feels just as likely as another Mortal Kombat at this point. Following MK11 and then MK1, returning to the dark DC Comics Elseworld take seems like a logical progression. The customization pioneered by the second game would almost certainly expand, furthering opportunities for innovative skin designs. Among the most exciting of those prospects is the inclusion of the unique reinterpretations of the new Absolute Universe within Injustice 3.

As the company’s latest major imprint, the DC Comics Absolute Universe is providing new takes on the most classic faces of the Justice League by depicting them under new writers with modernized visions. This created overhauls for the likes of Batman, which were initially met with skepticism and mixed reception due to massive shifts in design, but the recent release of actual comics has largely earned them widespread acclaim for their creative designs and storytelling.

Absolute Universe Skins for DC’s Big Three Are a Natural Fit for Injustice 3

Direct Complements to the Grittier Tone of Injustice’s World

Injustice has already always been known for featuring darker, more armored versions of its roster, and the AU seems to be leaning into a similar kind of realistic basis. The Absolute versions of Batman, with his practical civil engineer gear, Superman with his more stern Kryptonian disposition, and Wonder Woman’s edgier Hell motif would probably all seem appropriate if they were default looks for the next Injustice, let alone alternate looks. In a series with a history of outlandish and niche skins from comics like Red Son and Flashpoint, the AU provides relevance as a rising part of the shifting multiverse.

Capitalizing on DC’s Freshest Imprint

While storylines such as Doomsday Clock have made it feel more reasonable to expect the likes of the Watchmen in Injustice 3, the groundbreaking appreciation for the bold departures of the AU should also be recognized and honored. Promoting the newest initiative of the comics with influence from past works like Dark Nights: Death Metal in a title that features so many characters and historical references can only grow the overall brand further and legitimize the AU within broader pop culture.

Ongoing Positive Reception to the Absolute Universe Could Make it Prime for Broader Integration into Injustice

Several Members of the Typical Injustice Roster Have Upcoming AU Comics

Beyond DC’s iconic trinity, the AU has been announced to feature reimagined versions of other Injustice staples in the coming year. Wally West’s Flash and Jo Mullein’s Green Lantern are set to receive new looks, while Martian Manhunter is promised a psychological horror series with a dramatic take on the character that would make him a welcome addition to Injustice 3‘s base roster this time around. Whether AU skins are available for all these characters from launch or later added as DLC, their thematic cohesion would make them more impactful alongside each other. Further unnamed stories are planned, and the long-term success of these may make them worth staking even more than just skins behind.

With a grounded Elseworld-style scenario already informing the story of the next game, no matter which Injustice 2 ending is canonized, it’s not likely to be far from the tone that the AU has achieved to positive feedback. A character like Absolute Batman, for instance, features such meaningful differences that he could even be a fully playable character with a unique moveset, including his chest logo axe and collapsible-bridge wings, in a way that would bring variance to the game while directly honoring the source material. Injustice has been a celebration of DC’s legacy from the start, but its similar commitment to pushing boundaries can only be enhanced by the Absolute Universe.